Mark Newhouse is an American professional poker player who pulled off what many consider the most unlikely feat in the history of the game. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and now living in Los Angeles, he became a legend by reaching the World Series of Poker Main Event final table in two consecutive years. Before he was a household name, Newhouse was a rebellious college student who dropped out to chase the “poker dream” online. His journey has been a rollercoaster of massive wins and tough lessons, earning him a reputation as a gritty grinder who isn’t afraid to speak his mind or take a huge risk for the win.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

According to The Hendon Mob, Mark Newhouse has total live earnings of nearly $3.8 million. He first rose to fame in 2006 when he won the WPT Borgata Poker Open for a massive $1,519,020. At just 21 years old, it was one of the largest scores of the era.

However, Newhouse is most famous for his back-to-back deep runs in the WSOP Main Event. In 2013, he outlasted thousands to finish 9th for $733,224. Defying odds of over 500,000 to 1, he returned in 2014 and reached the final table again, ultimately finishing 9th for a second time to earn $730,725. He remains the only player in the modern “November Nine” era to achieve this. More recently, he showed he still has the touch by finishing 2nd in a 2024 WSOP Super Turbo event for $134,228 and has continued to pick up cashes throughout the 2025 and 2026 seasons at the Commerce Casino and the Wynn.

Mark Newhouse poker — Mark Newhouse (credit: PokerNews photographer Rachel Kay Winter)

Biography & Poker Background

Born in 1985, Mark Newhouse found poker during his time at Appalachian State University. After making a small $50 deposit online, he went on an incredible run, winning over $100,000 in a single month. He quickly realized he had more talent for cards than for studying, so he dropped out in his second year to play full-time. He moved to Los Angeles and spent years living in and out of the Commerce Casino, which he jokingly called his “office.” His early career was defined by massive swings; he admitted to going broke several times after his first $1.5 million win. These experiences shaped him into a more seasoned professional, teaching him that managing your money is just as important as how you play your cards.

Play Style & Strategy

Newhouse is known for a fearless and highly aggressive style that often keeps his opponents guessing. Because of his background in high-stakes limit hold’em cash games, he has a deep understanding of post-flop strategy and hand reading. He isn’t the type of player to sit back and wait for the best hand; he prefers to use a big stack to put pressure on the table. This was famously seen in the 2014 WSOP Main Event, where he made a massive, polarized bluff on the final table that ultimately led to his elimination. While he can be very aggressive, he is also a very calm and composed person during a hand. He focuses on staying “conscious” and avoiding emotional decisions, a mindset he developed after years of surviving the brutal swings of professional poker.

Social Media & Online Presence

Want to keep up with Mark Newhouse as he grinds the major tours in 2026? You can follow his career and see his latest tournament results through these links:

Video Highlights:

Event	Entries	Buy-In	Prize	Place	SPI
WSOP 2026 Las Vegas $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Millionaire Maker 2026.06.17 - 2026.06.24	11769	$1,500	$75,200	16
WSOP 2025 Las Vegas The Closer - No-Limit Hold’em (2-day event) 2025.07.14 - 2025.07.15	4297 ITM: 317	$1,500	$3,710	313	381.41

Full Mark Newhouse Poker History: Earnings, Cashes & Rankings